Danielle Schmidt
Evaluating Readability
Terrace vs Lynch
In both articles, The Art of Digital Publishing by Dan Lynch and
Content Conditioning and Distribution for Dynamic Virtual Worlds by
Jeff Terrace, they are presenting new product in regards to
computer software. In both cases, the intended audiences are for
people familiar with this type of research and on the topic. This
is apparent in Lynchs because he specifically states, the goal of
this project is to supply math, physics, and engineering professors
with a platform to express mathematical concepts to students to
provide immersive learning environment (6). In Terraces its a
little less direct, but he states that, We present the design and
implementation of a framework for evaluating scheduling algorithms
for progressive meshes (iii). Simply the language used and the
purpose for the piece gives that information.
In my opinion, I would say Lynch is the better communicator. The
language he uses is slightly more casual, even though we know who
his intended audience is. It makes readers that arent necessarily
super familiar with the topic able to understand not specifically
the exact system hes created, but at least what its supposed to do
and why. He is very direct and not once, but twice tells us exactly
what he wants this piece to serve as.
Ideally, this projects serves twofold: First, in closing the gap
for non-web-technical authors to express ideas and concepts through
Web technology without the knowledge of coding or user interface
design by mapping a typesetting language to interactive
programming. Second, in providing deep, educational experiences for
our youth to engage more in the sciences, and begin to use
exploration and creativity in learning through interactive
textbooks (9).
For this purpose I also believe he has a better way with syntax
and cadence. He gives a solid introduction as to why this has come
up for him, and again uses very casual language that any educated
adult could understand. For example Technology is growing faster
than the rate at which the educational system is evolving, and the
distance between these two vital functions of our society needs to
be reduced. Utilizing computer science we can provide optimized
learning methods to match this proliferating technology and
accelerate education (8). The language isnt too technical to the
point that an outsider wouldnt be able to understand. He makes a
point to really set up the scene before he delves into his graphs
and proposals.
However, that being said, I feel that Terrace has better design
principals. This is because right from the beginning we know that
there is actual research that has happened here. Not only is that
stated in the beginning, but he also gives all of his thanks in the
introduction and acknowledges all the people involved. This tells
the audience that there are multiple perspectives going into this
research ultimately lifting the credibility. The language of this
piece is also a lot more technical and delves into the subject
matter more quickly.
This is also why I feel that Terrace excels as the technical
writer. Given the intention of the piece and the intended audience,
his is more precise and has more first hand information to back up
his claims and system. This, in my opinion, gives him more validity
with the subject than Lynch. However, as far as actual
communication style, Lynch makes his whole concept a lot more
understandable. His comes from a proposal of previous research and
his own experience, while Terraces comes from a group of
professionals pulling together and cooperating in actual research
that is tested with proven success. But that could also explain why
Lynchs style is more casual while Terraces is more technical. As
far as improvements go, I feel the authors both write pretty
appropriately given the topic, the audience, and the level of
involvement they each directly have.
